Editorial: Obama must stick by congressional decision

So far, the best thing that can be said about President Barack Obama's strategy toward Syria is that he hasn't authorized a quick military strike after his administration has determined that Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against its own people.

Laudably, Obama has waited and now is trying to convince Congress - and the American people - that some form of retaliation is necessary and in the national security interests of the United States.

Tonight, Obama will address the American people. And he surely must recognize that the country is not only war-weary, but has a healthy skepticism toward any military action in light of the outright debacle that led up to the war in Iraq. There, the Bush administration said it was certain Saddam Hussein's regime had weapons of mass destruction, something that turned out to be unfounded once the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq.

This recent history is one big reason why Obama is having so much trouble convincing other countries, as well as Congress and the American people, that military intervention is necessary in Syria.

But now that Obama has wisely sought congressional authorization, he simply must abide by the decision, despite what he might say tonight about the dangers Assad poses to the world.

Whatever happens, it's clear the United States will be walking a fine line here. Failure to respond in any way could embolden Assad to unleash more chemical weapons - and could send a terrible message to other despots throughout the world that they, too, could do so without impunity. Striking back, even in a limited way, could eventually lead to an escalation of war that could spread far beyond Syria.

It is hoped that an emerging diplomatic solution - one that would see Syria move all of its chemical weapons under international control - can fully materialized. But if Congress ultimately feels it's necessary to give Obama the go-ahead for a military option, it should be limited in both scope and duration and prohibit U.S. troops on the ground.

Realistically, such a strategy won't end the civil war in Syria. But it could send an important message to Assad and others that use of chemical weapons simply won't be ignored or tolerated. It could be a powerful deterrent, and that is probably the best anyone could hope for if a military strike does occur.

Obama must exhaust diplomatic options first, though, and make a far better case for intervention than he put forth so far.

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Editorial: Obama must stick by congressional decision

So far, the best thing that can be said about President Barack Obama's strategy toward Syria is that he hasn't authorized a quick military strike after his administration has determined that Bashar